Reclaimed (The Phoenix Chronicles Book 1) (18 page)

“Nope,” grinned Summer as she patted her sack of clothes. “I had a great hiding spot.”

“Good,” said Ash, breathing a sigh of relief. “I'm glad you weren't hurt. Do you want to stay next to Nora? I'm two beds down and we can hang out until you're tired.”

Summer nodded enthusiastically. “That's cool. I really need to rinse off, though.”

Nora jumped up. “Sure! There's extra stuff in there and it looks like you brought clothes.”

Summer thanked them both, grabbed her clothes, left the bag with Ash, and took a long shower. It felt good to have the warm water on her aching muscles. Once it started to run cold she got out and found Ash sitting in her bed. He glanced at her shorts and then allowed his eyes to travel up her tank top. When their eyes locked he uncomfortably looked away.

“Thanks for being cool about this,” said Summer as she sat cross-legged in front of him. “I was afraid that you would tell me to leave because you didn't want people to know about us.”

“I thought it was clear that I didn't care anymore.”

Summer stretched her arms across the bed. “I don't know. It just seemed-”

He closed the distance between them and gently pressed his lips against hers. Summer was too shocked to respond before he pulled away.

She blinked a few times before blushing so deeply that her ears turned red.

“Is that clear enough?” he asked.

She pushed herself up and laughed. “Loud and clear.”

The room had once again gone from loud chatter to low whispers. She looked around to see almost everyone staring at them.

“Ash doesn't talk a whole lot,” said Nora. “And he’s never done that before.” She pointed between him and Summer. “It's a shock for them.”

“More like mind blowing,” grumbled Summer as she glared at the prying eyes.

Ash leaned against the headboard and closed his eyes. “I don't care. I'm always too tired to pay attention to what anyone thinks.”

“Why are you always tired?” asked Summer.

He opened one eye to peer at her. “Because I wake up early in the morning to train someone and then I still have the rest of the day to do my stuff.”

“Oh, I see.” She spun around and laid her head next to his leg. “Well then get some sleep.”

“Mmm hmm,” he answered and was soon snoring while sitting up.

Summer pulled the cover over herself and rested her head on his leg. The buzz of the other wielders and Ash's snoring soon had her drifting off into the best sleep she had gotten in awhile.

Chapter 20

Summer woke up and stretched her arms out. She felt smooth skin against hers and almost forgot where she was. A quick search of the area determined two things. One, she was still in the dark wielders dorm. Two, she was hopelessly tangled up in Ash.

Not that she was complaining but, his chest was pressed against her back and his arms were wrapped around her. She wasn't even sure where her legs began and his ended.

Admittedly this was the most intimate she had been with anyone and it freaked her out a bit. What if she was being too clingy? Maybe she wasn't affectionate enough? Does Ash even like to be touched? She should have asked him this before practically sleeping on top of him.

Summer scowled. Here she was, thinking about childish things when the secret world of wielders depended on her. All of her problems seemed so small compared to that.

She pushed all childish and magic-saving thoughts out of her head and decided the most important thing was to sneak out of bed. Getting dressed without waking anyone up meant she could be ready before them. Then she wouldn't be more of a burden than she already felt she was being.

It took a few painful minutes of moving at a snail's pace but, she managed to leave the warmth of Ash without waking him. She was actually proud of herself for being stealth enough to do that. Sneaking past him didn't seem like an easy task.

Summer hurried in the bathroom and decided her unruly hair would be better off in a braid. Once that was finished she happily strode out to find that a few other people had woken up.

Ash was sitting up with his head in his hands. He twisted his neck and groaned loudly.

“Everything okay?” asked Summer.

“Falling asleep sitting up was stupid,” grumbled Ash.

Despite how angry he was, Summer thought he looked adorable. His curly hair was a mess and he had the faint hint of a beard.

“Thanks for letting me stay here,” she said.

He finally looked up. “You're welcome. You can stay here whenever you want.”

“I think I prefer my room. It's nice to hear all the chatter but, I do like privacy too.”

“What happened makes me nervous,” he replied, lowering his voice. “I don't want you alone.”

“Tracy is there.” Summer sat down next to him. “Why don't you stay with me?”

“We're usually not allowed to.”

Summer raised an eyebrow. “And you're suddenly one to follow all the rules.”

Ash finally cracked a smile. “I'll stay with you.” He stood up and patted her head before making his way to the bathroom.

Everyone was up now. Even Nora was busy getting dressed and definitely was not a morning person. She barely said two words to Summer but, did try her best to smile.

It wasn't long before the three of them were sitting in the cafeteria and eating breakfast. A short while later their friends joined them.

Zach patted Nora's head. “Did the monster get fed?”

“That's rude,” whined Nora. She hit his arm. “You shouldn't call your girlfriend a monster.”

Zach glanced at Summer. “Isn't she grumpy in the morning?”

Summer held her thumb and pointer finger an inch apart. “Just a tiny bit.”

“Fine,” huffed Nora. “Then I won't speak to anyone.”

Tracy gasped. “Ever again? Say it isn't so.”

Summer giggled. She truly was enjoying the new light-hearted mood that everyone was in. Not even their room being trashed was enough to deter them from being happy. She hoped some of that was due to the fact that she was having everyone trained by the elves. Being the cause of someone's happiness was something she normally wasn't responsible for.

As everyone gathered on the field a hushed silence fell over them. It was odd not seeing Mario marching around and shouting orders. It was even more strange that all the equipment was gone. The only indication of them were marks in the grass where they had been for a long time.

“How are they going to train us if there isn't anything to train with?” whispered Tracy.

Summer held up her hands. “We still have these.”

“True.” Tracy looked around at everyone. “I hope they can help. We need it.”

Just as Summer was about to answer, the approach of the elves caught her attention. Their usual cloaks were missing and they were dressed in loose cotton clothes with leather straps wrapped around their joints. They also both wore dark leather boots and Nareh’s hair was in a long braid. She looked angelic like always.

Summer was surprised that not a single member of the council could be found. She expected Jasper to be watching them like a hawk or Tolai to be his brooding self in some corner of the field.

“The council must trust them,” said Nora as she nudged Summer.

“Or terrified of them,” whispered Summer.

“I think both,” said Petar loudly.

The elves paused to look at him before continuing towards the center of the field. They stopped and turned to face everyone. Nareh smiled warmly while Van seemed to want to be anywhere but there.

Van surprised Summer by taking the lead. He stepped forward and bowed his head slightly. “Good morning,” he said, his voice deep and calm. “I want you all to remember that we're here because Summer asked us to train everyone. She forced the council to change the rules and for us to change our mind.”

Summer tried to duck her head but, it was too late. The people around her acknowledged her with a nod while the others mumbled their appreciation.

She turned bright red and laughed nervously. “Thanks Van,” she said, waving her hand.

He nodded once and stepped back. Nareh took this as her cue to speak. She waited calmly until everyone quieted down and focused on her.

“Being a wielder in this day and age is a special gift,” said Nareh, her voice soft but clear. “As the years progress your numbers dwindle. The remaining wielders need to be taught what it was like in the beginning. You must be reminded that the power is an extension of us because the time will come when you have to choose.”

“Choose what?” asked a wielder in the front.

Nareh smiled. “Dark or light.”

Summer's thoughts raced to what she had seen in the book.
In darkness there is light and in light there is darkness.
What did that mean?

“Will we have to fight?” asked another wielder.

“Yes,” answered Nareh. “But you choose the enemy. Yourself or the person standing next to you.”

A collective whisper broke out as everyone glanced at each other. No one knew what her riddles meant but, no one was willing to argue with her logic.

Nareh clapped her hands. “Break up into groups of your wielding type and take a seat on the grass.”

Everyone did as they were told and found their groups. Summer shrugged and took a seat with Tracy. It was just the two of them but, they were normally sent off with other wielders. This time they weren't so lucky.

Van slowly and carefully weaved through the groups. “Some of you are stronger than others and that's okay. Not everything, especially in old magic, is equal.”

Nareh opened her hand and a small flame hovered above her palm. “Some of you can draw on the energy within and create your element.”

“Others need to use the elements around them,” said Van as he moved a piece of the ground. “You are all still wielders. What we’re going to teach you is how to connect to yourself and your element so using it would be as easy as blinking.”

Summer looked down at her hands. She thought she had already accomplished that. It took less than a second for her to call on her power. If she had to admit it, there was a small delay but, not a significant enough one to hinder an attack.

“We are stronger in groups,” said Nareh. “You all proved that during your challenge. Now we'll learn to unlock this power together.”

Almost everyone had the same skeptical look plastered across their face. Summer didn't blame them. There was nothing to unlock. They were all born with their powers and got them at eighteen. Well, she got them at seventeen but, she was different.

“Sit down,” said Nareh firmly as she gestured towards the grass with both hands. “Now close your eyes.”

Some of the students groaned. They were losing their attention and definitely credibility.

“If you don't want to do this then leave!” snapped Van.

Nareh rested a hand on his chest. She shook her head and smiled. He grumbled loudly and folded his arms behind his back.

“As Elves we have the ability to manipulate all the elements,” continued Nareh. “You are all descendants of us which means that you can exhibit that same control over yours.”

Summer let out a long breath. She wanted to like the elves but, the only thing this was doing was making her tired. With all the fidgeting she assumed everyone was feeling the same way.

“Feel the energy,” said Nareh. “Feel the energy in you and in the elements around you. Connect to that. It's all one power. Once you reach calmness then you have complete control.”

Summer tried. She shut out all distractions and focused on the soft blowing wind. It gently nudged her skin, willing her to use its power.

“I don't get it,” whispered Tracy.

Summer squinted to look at her. “At least I'm not the only one.”

“Is there a problem?” asked Van.

Summer almost jumped. She didn't even hear him come up behind her.

“I just don't understand what we're doing.” Summer repeatedly opened and closed her hands. Each time the fire lit up and then disappeared. “I can call my power whenever I want. So what are you trying to teach us?”

Van poked her head. “That this,” then poked her chest right above her heart, “And this, need to be left out of the equation. Hurt, pain, anger; even happiness, love, and joy can affect how easily you command your power.”

Nareh nodded at her. “We're trying to teach you how to push all that aside and make this power second nature.”

Summer let out a long, frustrated breath. She threw her braid over her shoulder and sealed her eyes tightly shut
.
“Fine, whatever,” she huffed.

There was no way she could question them or give up now. It would make her look like a fool in front of everyone when she had fought for this.

It felt like they had spent hours just sitting there. The encouraging words from the Elves proved that some were doing better than others. Summer was not one of those people.

When they dismissed everyone, she stomped her foot in protest, and chased after them. “Wait a second!” she snapped.

Nareh turned around. “Yes?”

“What is this crap? I ask you guys to stay and train everyone and you teach us to meditate? I could read a book and learn to do that. Where's the fighting? The weapons? This is lame.”

Van pointed a finger at her. “You need the most training out of anyone. It's your existence that can help or destroy the very delicate sway of magic.”

Summer threw her hands in the air. “What does that even mean? What do I have to do? Crush some big boss and save a bunch of people?”

“You could say that,” answered Nareh. “A balance of power requires no egos. If most magic is dark right now that means, there is a powerful wielder feeding off the weak.”

Summer stopped throwing her arms around and stared at Nareh. “So you're telling me that if I walk in and murder some evil guy then all of this is done?”

“Yes,” nodded Van. “But it won't be that easy. Almost impossible without the six relics.”

“Six relics?”

Nareh broke her calm composure and narrowed her eyes at Van. “She's not ready for that yet.”

“Not ready for what?” summer looked back and forth between the two of them. “Hello? Guys?”

Van sighed and waved his hand. “You'll find out soon enough. Now go relax and learn to control your emotions.” Van smirked. “Also, tell your boyfriend to stop glaring at us.”

Summer looked over her shoulder to see Ash staring menacingly at the Elves. When she turned back around to say something Van and Nareh were gone.

“Great,” she grumbled, walking back towards Ash. “Let's go, boyfriend,” she said, grabbing the bottom of his shirt.

“Everything okay?” asked Ash.

She stopped. It was just the two of them on the field. Everyone else had either gone to lunch or took their turn working in the garden.

“I feel like an idiot,” she said. “I created this big scene and got them to stay, only for them to make us talk to nature.”

Ash grinned slightly. “It's just how they are. The elves are very powerful but, they don't like to fight. My dad went through all of this.” He rested a hand on her hip. “Don't feel bad, from what my mom tells me, it took him a long time to understand what they were trying to teach him.”

Summer groaned and rested her forehead on his chest. “I just have this nagging feeling that we don't have a whole lot of time left.”

“We'll figure this out,” he answered as he ran his hand down her back.

Summer wanted so badly to believe him but, not even he could hide the uncertainty in his voice.